All of these items can be found under the roof of Las Cruces' newest chic hot spot, M FIVE bar, the brain child of Dickersons Group, headed by local businesswoman Marci Dickerson.

"The idea for Mfive came after we went to Las Vegas this summer, and we were at a bar called The Blue Martini. I liked the concept and wanted to bring that to Las Cruces, I just wasn't sure where to put it," Dickerson said.

The owner of the America's Best Value Inn & Suites, located at 901 Avenida de Mesilla, approached Dickerson, offering the banquet room of the hotel, which was soon gutted and renovated to match Dickerson's vision.

"We took over the banquet space, and decided 'here we go,'" she said. "When an opportunity comes in front of us, we jump on it. It's a great fit for the concept of M FIVE."

The bar, catering to business professionals, is highlighted in cool hues of blue and silver, juxtaposed by dark black and mahogany-colored accents, with intricate metal work decor provided by local business, Artsy Fartsy.

"Cruces needs to have more options for the adult crowd who want to go out and have great drinks and visit with friends, and don't have to worry about loud music. It caters to them," Dickerson said.

"It's very comfortable and very high-end. We want a well-taken-care-of environment. We are striving for customer service," she said of the customer service-centric idea behind M FIVE.

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Just outside of the newly-renovated banquet hall, Mfive also offers a large patio area, complete with sun shades, three fire pits and natural vegetation, illuminated by soft hanging lights.

"People can bring their cigars outside and enjoy the patio space. We're really excited about it," said Dickerson.
Offerings

House bands will be crooning from the main stage on Friday and Saturday nights, including Las Cruces favorites like Matt Morgan, Chris Baker and Natalie Grace McMillian.

Patrons can cozy up next to the fireplace, in tables spaced around the dance floor, cozy booths, or the VIP lounge, which will boast a 1,000 cigar humidor, and caters to expensive pallets with high-end Scotch and rare vintage wine selections.
For the business professional who enjoys the more traditional pub selections, M FIVE also offers bourbon, 30 domestic, craft and import beers — from Guinness to Moose Drool — on draft and all of the bottled beer staples.

Customers who made resolutions to be more health-conscious in 2013 can begin with an offering from the "skinny" drink menu, which includes concoctions devoid of sugar, and low on calories, including classic cocktail favorites like martinis, as well as specialty drinks like Kinky Peach Tea.

Anyone who wants to enjoy full-flavored mixed drinks can make a selection from their signature cocktail list, like the Chocolate Mafia — consisting of chocolate vodka, raspberry purée, Bailey's and a chocolate drizzle — and the Spicy Margarita, offering a kick of fresh jalapeño or green chile.

The kitchen, equipped to provide a full menu, will be serving a 15-item appetizer menu following the bar's initial opening. Some of the items on the menu are spicy scallops, Ahi tuna and jalapeños stuffed with shrimp and cream cheese, wrapped in smoked bacon.

Daily specials will rotate throughout the week, making select appetizers and drinks $5 each, keeping with the 'five' theme of the bar, which Dickerson said received its namesake from being her fifth Las Cruces business — preceded by Dickerson's catering, The Game Sports Bar and Grill, the bar Hurricane Alley, Sports Skills Institute, an indoor baseball/softball facility and the Columbus Conference Center.

"I love new projects and getting to watch the evolution of a new facility," she said.

The public is invited to see the finished product of Mfive at a grand opening at 4 p.m. Jan. 18, which will include $5 specialty drinks, craft beers and Mfive appetizers.

Following the opening, M FIVE will be open from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Matlin Smith may be reached at 575-541-5468; follow her on Twitter @msmith_lcsun.

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